35 Ways to Make Canned Green Beans Better!

Canned green beans are always a staple item at my house. Not only do my kids love them but they are actually pretty versatile! Let’s look at some easy ways to make those canned green beans better…

A lot of these ideas can also apply to frozen or even fresh green beans as well.

How to make canned Green Beans less boring?

These are all easy ways we can add or serve green beans to make them less boring!

1. Garlic Butter Green Beans

Sauté green beans in a skillet with a little butter and minced garlic until tender. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

2. Lemon Parmesan Green Beans

Toss green beans with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese. Add a pinch of salt for extra flavor.

3. Bacon-Wrapped Green Beans Bundles

Wrap a few green beans in a slice of bacon and secure with a toothpick. Bake at 400°F for about 15-20 minutes until the bacon is crispy.

4. Green Bean Almondine

Toast slivered almonds in a dry skillet until golden. Toss with green beans, a little melted butter, and a pinch of salt.

5. Green Beans with Tomatoes and Onions

Sauté chopped onions and diced tomatoes in a skillet until soft. Add green beans and cook until everything is heated through. Season with salt and pepper.

6. Honey Soy Green Beans

Sauté green beans in a skillet with a little oil, then add a mixture of soy sauce and honey. Cook until the sauce thickens and coats the beans.

7. Green Bean Casserole

Mix green beans with a can of cream of mushroom soup and a handful of crispy fried onions. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 20-25 minutes until bubbly.

8. Cheesy Green Beans

Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over green beans and microwave for 1-2 minutes until the cheese melts.

9. Italian-Style Green Beans

Toss green beans with a little olive oil, Italian seasoning, and grated Parmesan cheese. Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for some heat.

10. Green Beans with Balsamic Glaze

Drizzle a balsamic reduction over green beans. To make the reduction, simmer balsamic vinegar in a small pot until it thickens.

11. Green Beans with Lemon and Garlic

Sauté minced garlic in olive oil until fragrant, then add green beans and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. Toss to coat and season with salt and pepper.

12. Green Beans with Soy Sauce and Sesame Seeds

Sauté green beans in a little oil, then add a splash of soy sauce. Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds for a delicious finish.

13. Green Beans with Caramelized Onions

Thinly slice an onion and cook it in a skillet with a little butter or oil over low heat until caramelized. Toss with green beans and season with salt and pepper.

14. Green Beans with Crumbled Bacon

Cook bacon until crispy, then crumble it over green beans. Toss to combine, adding a bit of the bacon grease for extra flavor if desired.

15. Green Beans with Dijon Mustard

Toss green beans with a mixture of Dijon mustard, a bit of olive oil, and a dash of vinegar. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

16. Green Beans with Pesto

Toss green beans with a spoonful of store-bought or homemade pesto. Add a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese if desired.

17. Spicy Green Beans

Sauté green beans with a little oil, then add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes and a splash of soy sauce. Cook until beans are tender and the sauce coats them.

18. Green Beans with Garlic and Breadcrumbs

Sauté minced garlic in olive oil until fragrant, then add green beans and toss to coat. Sprinkle with toasted breadcrumbs for a crunchy finish.

19. Green Beans with Peanut Sauce

Toss green beans with a simple peanut sauce made from peanut butter, soy sauce, a bit of honey, and water to thin. Sprinkle with chopped peanuts for extra crunch.

20. Green Beans with Ranch Seasoning

Toss green beans with a bit of olive oil and a packet of ranch seasoning mix. Roast in the oven at 400°F (200°C) for about 15 minutes until lightly crispy.

21. Green Beans with Lemon Zest and Olive Oil

Toss green beans with a drizzle of olive oil, freshly grated lemon zest, and a pinch of salt. This simple addition gives a bright, fresh flavor.

22. Green Beans with Sautéed Mushrooms

Sauté sliced mushrooms in a little butter until they release their moisture and turn golden brown. Toss with green beans and season with salt and pepper.

23. Green Beans with Honey Mustard Glaze

Mix together honey and Dijon mustard to make a quick glaze. Toss green beans in the mixture until evenly coated.

24. Green Beans with Herb Butter

Mix softened butter with finely chopped fresh herbs like parsley, chives, or dill. Toss green beans with the herb butter until well coated.

25. Green Beans with Diced Ham

Sauté diced ham in a skillet until slightly crispy. Add green beans and toss together. The ham adds a salty, savory touch.

26. Green Beans with Feta Cheese

Toss green beans with crumbled feta cheese and a drizzle of olive oil. Add a sprinkle of black pepper to taste.

27. Green Beans with Sautéed Peppers

Sauté thinly sliced bell peppers in olive oil until tender. Toss with green beans for a colorful and flavorful side dish.

28. Green Beans with Brown Butter and Sage

Melt butter in a skillet until it starts to brown and smell nutty. Add fresh sage leaves and cook for a minute. Toss with green beans.

29. Green Beans with Chopped Walnuts

Toast chopped walnuts in a dry skillet until fragrant. Toss with green beans and a little olive oil for added texture and flavor.

30. Green Beans with Lemon and Thyme

Toss green beans with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and a sprinkle of fresh thyme leaves. Season with salt and pepper.

31. Green Beans with Garlic and Chili Flakes

Sauté minced garlic and a pinch of red chili flakes in olive oil until fragrant. Add green beans and toss to coat.

32. Green Beans with Parmesan and Cracked Black Pepper

Sprinkle green beans with grated Parmesan cheese and freshly cracked black pepper. Toss until evenly distributed.

33. Green Beans with Mint and Lemon

Chop fresh mint leaves and toss with green beans and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. This combination adds a refreshing twist.

34. Green Beans with Sautéed Corn

Sauté fresh or frozen corn kernels in a little butter until lightly browned. Toss with green beans and season with salt and pepper.

35. Green Beans with Cranberries and Pecans

Toss green beans with dried cranberries and toasted pecans. This combination adds a sweet and nutty flavor, perfect for a festive touch.

How to Jazz up Canned Green Beans?

I hope this list has given you some new ideas to try out on your next can of green beans! I love to just look around at what spices, sauces, and even leftovers I have, then just start combining things that sounds good together!

Please leave a comment with your favorite way to serve up green beans.